The Appleton Police Department added a very furry new member to its volunteer program, a 12-week-old goldendoodle named Blue.

Over the past several weeks, he has been introduced to the members of the police department.

According to a media release on their Facebook page, Blue has "rookie" status and will require training and certification, "like all officers."

Blue's training and certification will be done at the Fox Valley Humane Association Therapy Dog Program.

If he passes all of his training, Blue will be "on-duty" improving the wellness of department personnel early next spring.

“Therapy dogs have been around for around 40 years," Chief Todd Thomas said in the Facebook post. "It has been proven that they have a significantly positive impact on our emotional wellness, our social and cognitive functioning, and can even improve our physical healing.”

According to the post, the Appleton Police Department expects Blue to roam freely "in search of treats or an occasional nap in the many dog beds sure to appear around the building."

But Blue's duties won't stop there — he'll also be in the community as a therapy dog, helping grieving children, comforting victims and even visiting schools.